Central Park-St Brendan’s kept its perfect Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield record in tact on Saturday, producing an impressive seven-wicket win over Waaia at Deakin Reserve.
Headlined by a clinical performance with the ball the Tigers dismissed the Bombers for 128, chasing down the total in 34.1 overs.
Speaking after the win Central-Park St Brendan’s coach Tyler Larkin said his side had set itself up for the encounter.
“We’ve sort of had a pretty good run with our draw, so Waaia’s probably the first team that are a genuine top five, top six team we’ve faced,” Larkin said.
“So to come away with a win so convincingly really sets us up for the back half of the season.”
Finding their first dismissal in the fourth over the Tigers piled the pressure on the Bombers, with Dwain Vidler (3-20), Brendan Scott (3-25) and Ramadan Yze (2-19) doing their bit with the ball in hand.
With the bat the Tigers’ Connor Holland stood out with 58 not out, while Scott (27) and Andrew Boyington (27) also impressed for the home side.
“Last week we bowled our worst and fielded our worst and then to turn it around like we did and to go back to the way we want to bowl and build up with pressure was great,” Larkin said.
“We were just so consistent with our bowling on Saturday, which is really good, and to bowl them out for 128 on such a flat wicket is a testament to our bowlers.”
Still undefeated after six games and sitting on top of the ladder, the Tigers look like the team to beat this season, however, Larkin said his side was not getting ahead of itself.
“I couldn’t ask anything more of the A-grade boys, we’re a game clear on top into Christmas, so to be in that position really sets us up,” he said.
“After Christmas we play all the other top five teams.
“So after Christmas is where it’s really going to be showing where we’re at, but we’re really excited and we’re going in pretty confident to Christmas that hopefully we can finish somewhere around the top and then do some damage in finals.”
Meanwhile, the loss drops Waaia to seventh on the ladder behind Northerners on percentage.
THE GAME
Central Park-St Brendan’s 3-129 (Connor Holland 58, Brendan Scott 27, Andrew Boyington 27, Mitch Cleeland 2-21) d Waaia 128 (Mitch Cleeland 34, Jordan Cleeland 27, Dwain Vidler 3-20, Brendan Scott 3-25, Ramadan Yze 2-19)
STAR PLAYER
Brendan Scott (Central Park-St Brendan’s): Performing with bat and ball on Saturday, Scott not only took three wickets, but provided an important start to his side’s run chase.